The Nourish the Children initiative is Nu Skin’s solution to provide a consistent and growing supply of nourishing food to the world’s most needy children. This simple concept succeeds by selling a highly nutritious food — VitaMeal — and then helping people donate their purchases to third-party nonprofit organizations that specialize in distributing food to those suffering from malnutrition and famine.

The primary charity partner for Nourish the Children is FEED THE CHILDREN, one of the largest international charities in the United States, which specializes in distributing millions of pounds of food each year to families in more than 60 countries. The charity partner distributes the donated VitaMeal at NO ADDITIONAL COSTS and provides regular reports documenting the receipt of food by those in need.

By DONATING PRODUCT RATHER THAN CASH, donors know exactly how their contribution is being used and can be assured that their donation is making a difference in the lives of children. In some countries, donors receive a receipt for tax purposes from the charity partner for their in-kind donation of VitaMeal.*

While the VitaMeal itself is very important in impacting the lives of children, the donations go beyond just the meal to impact the lives of many others. These meal donations create opportunities to improve lives through education, jobs, and teaching self-sufficiency.

Drawing Children to School

VitaMeal donations are generally distributed through school programs because parents living in poverty will often send their children to school for a free meal, rather than keep them home to work. This is especially true of girls: the World Bank has recognized that “there is no investment more effective for achieving development goals than educating girls.”

Ensuring a Consistent Flow of Donations

As a social business initiative, Nourish the Children facilitates consistent and increasing food donations by offering an incentive to buy, donate, and promote VitaMeal. This commission is included in the price of the food and allows distributors to invest their time and resources to encourage others to join the cause against malnutrition. Your VitaMeal donation is increased with a corporate match program from Nu Skin.

Building Economic Opportunity

VitaMeal plants in Malawi and China reduce transportation costs and boost local economies.

Contributing to Self-Sufficiency

Some of the proceeds from VitaMeal purchases are donated to the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation to fund agricultural education at Mtalimanja Village (link to Village page of the FFG section) in Malawi. Increased farm production could someday alleviate the need for food assistance in Malawi.

In 2007, just five years after the program’s inception, Nu Skin distributors, customers, and employees reached the amazing milestone of having purchased and donated 100 MILLION MEALS. By 2010, after only three years, we expect to donate and distribute the NEXT 100 MILLION MEALS.

"I am confident that Nourish the Children will make a difference in children's lives all over the world. In fact, it already has. This truly is a new approach to solving the terrible crisis of world hunger."

Lee Iacocca, Emeritus Chairman of the Nourish the Children Advisory Board